Metal foundation for composite floors



Aug. 28, 1928. 1,682,551

H. CHAMBERLAIN METAL FOUNDATION FOR COMPOSITE FLOORS Filed Feb. 3, 1927 V I A Patented Aug. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD B. CHAMBERLAIN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE TUCO PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

METAL FOUNDATION FOR COMPOSITE FLOORS.

Application filed February 3, 1927.

This invention relates to a floor having a metal foundation surmounted by a layer of cement-itious material. Floors of this general type are in use but there has been dilliculiy in effecting a proper binding of the cement coating to the metal foundation. It has been proposed, for instance, to electrically weld wire mesh to the top of the foundation proper and lay the cement on such wire mesh, but this is somewhat expensive and is frequently difficult to carry out on the job. Moreover, it is desirable to place insulating material between the wire mesh and metal floor, male ing the cement warmer and dryer, but this also interferes with electric welding.

I have devised a means for securing the wire mesh to the metal floor which is very cheaply applied, and effective in servnce, and may be used equally well whether the wire mesh rests directly on the metal four-r dation or on interposed insulation.

To the above end, I provide a securing device in the form of a tempered pointed screw embraced by a washer, and I puncture the upper sheet of the metal foundation selliciently to allow the screw point to pass into it; then when this hardened screw is rotated, it acts as a tap cutting its own thread in the engaging edges of the metal sneet and thus forming a very secure lock therewith. Such foundation illustrated in the drawings and will hereinafter be more fully explained, and

the essential novel features thereof will be summarized in the claim.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan of my composite floor with the cement coating removed; Fig. 2 is a vertical section, as indicated by the line Q-2 on Fig. l, the upper plane of the cement being indicated by the broken line; Fig. 3 is a transvei section at right angle to Fig. 2 as indicated by the line 3-3 onFig. 1.

In the drawings, the base of the foundation is shown as consisting of a bottom plate 10, and a top plate 11, which are periodically dished toward each other as at 12 and 13, and there secured together in a suitable manner as by rivets 1-1. The sheet of insulation paper resting on top of the foundation is designated at 20; the wire mesh 25, and the layer of cement or similar material 30.

The securing devices consist of the screws Serial No. 165,673.

40 and the washers all. The screw is preferably an ordinary wood screw suitably tempered and preferably has the usual flaring head shown, and the washer preferably countersunk to receive such head. The point of the screw occupies the opening provided by inwardly puncturing the upper sheet 11. This puncturing may be done by a suitable punch or by driving in the screw itself. In either case, the sheet is bent inwardly around the punctures, as indicated at 15. Such puncture, when first made, is at least large enough to receive the point of the screw, and then the screw is turned down and its hardened threads cuts the edge of the sheet around the opening and form a thread therein, so that the sheet acts as a nut and the screw becomes tightly locked to the sheet by the time the washer has come down on top ofthe wire mesh.

It will be seen that the fastening devices, are very cheaply made and they are readily inserted as the floor is being laid. They may be used as well where there is interposed insulation as where the mesh rests directly on the base. hen once in place these fastenings very effectively hold the mesh on the bask While I am not limited to any particularly constructed base, it will be noted that with abase of the character shown, having periodic depressions in the top plate, it especially in'iportant that the wire mesh be not allowed to creep along the base, as it might cause a settling or depression in the floor across such dished portion of tire base. My fastening devices prevent such creeping. \Vhen the wire mesh is so secured, and the cementitious covering laid, the latter is effectively keyed to the base and a very satisfactory composite floor is produced.

I claim The combination of a hollow metal base having a top of sheet metal, a sheet of insulation on such top, wire mesh on top of the insulation, fastening devices applicable entirely from above and passing through the wire mesh and insulation into the top sheet, and a layer of cementitious material above the wire mesh.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

HAROLD B. CHAMBERLAIN. 

